onsdag 11 september 2013

On a train to Xi’an

On Monday morning I got up made sure I had everything with
me and headed out to the train station. It was really strange not leaving on my
bicycle. And carrying all of my stuff was a workout, but somehow I managed and
was able to carry all of the bags on me. It’s a lot easier when my bike is
doing the carrying. The train station was a bit chaotic and very crowded. But luckily
the number of the train was on signs and easy to find where to go. When going
in to the train there was three seats on one side and two on the other. And as
I was walking through the train I was just hoping that I didn’t have a seat in
the middle of two other people. And I was really lucky to get a seat on the
side with two seats and also with a window seat. The train was absolutely
packed and the seats were not that comfortable, maybe that’s why they call it a
hard seat. But I was felt ready for 35 hours to Xi’an.

And the ride was really an experience. Even if no one knew a
word of English I could communicate a little bit about where I was from and
where I was going. And I could feel everyone looking at me since I was the only
foreigner on the whole train. I’m lucky to be a very good sleeper and was able
to get a couple of hours during the night and felt a little rested waking up in
the morning with another 17 hours to go.

Outside the landscape had become greener then the dry west
and it was interesting looking out of the windows seeing China pass by. But
mostly I just read my book wanting the time to pass by much faster than it did.
And eventually after a long, warm, sweaty, loud, smelly train ride we arrived
in Xi’an at the middle of the night. I hadn’t gotten a invitation from any
couchsurfer so I got in a taxi and headed for a hostel. The driver could find
the hostel I wanted o go to but eventually found another hostel that luckily had
a bed for the night. And after 35 hours in a train a shower and a soft bed felt
like paradise!

Yesterday I had to
change hostel since they didn’t have rooms available for the next days so I
then went to the hotel I first wanted to go to. And I have to say the standards
of hostels here in China are really good. I met two American guys who were in
the same room and we went together on an hour bus ride to see the Terracotta
Army. I is the big attraction here in Xi’an and it was really cool to see. And
since we vent in the afternoon it wasn’t as crowded as I thought it would be.
And somehow I managed to get in half price as a student by showing a business
card from a man I met on the plane back to Sweden and was working at Stockholm
University. It’s a good thing they didn’t look more closely at the name,
because maybe I don’t really look like my last name would be Akaber =)

Another strange and funny thing that happened there was when
a couple came up to me and I thought they wanted me to take a picture of them.
But it turned out that woman wanted to be in a picture with me. That happens
many times to me when I’m on my bike and meeting people, but I didn’t think I
would happen in a touristic place like Xi’an when I’m out dressed like any
other tourist.

Later that night I met up with Ruyang and his friend from
Couchsurfing and we had a great night. First we walked around the Muslim
quarter trying different food and then went for some beer and had nice
conversation about everything and I got some advice about the rest of my time
in China.

This morning I was woken up by a call on my phone from
someone that spoke Chinese, so I just hung up and turned off the sound. But
when I got up a little later I saw I had ten missed call and then answered the
eleventh. This time someone spoke a little English and he was talking about my
bicycle. I got in contact with my friend in Urumqi who called back and she told
me that they just wanted to call and tell me that my bike had arrived in
Beijing and was wondering when I was picking it up. It was a big relief knowing
it’s there but until I have it in my hands I’ll still be a little worried. So
tomorrow morning I’m getting back on the train heading for Beijing. But this
time I spend a little more money on a speed strain that just takes 5 hours
instead of 12 on the other train. I’m looking forward to seeing Beijing but at
the same time I know it’s going to be a crazy big city with people everywhere.
But at least I don’t have to ride my bike into the city.